With the advancement of technologies like text messaging, video gaming and surfing the internet, increase in use can have dramatic health consequences. One of these consequences can be forward head carriage.
Forward head carriage is the direct result of having your head down for prolonged periods of time while texting, using apps on your Iphone, playing video games on a Nintendo DS or even using an e-reader such as the Amazon Kindle. This postural stress can then produce neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, and/or numbness and tingling in to the arms/hands. It can even predispose an individual to develop arthritis earlier than they should.
As outlined in the article "Your Body Is Sending You A Message", 6 consequences of forward head posture were revealed.
1. Long-term forward neck posture leads to "long-term muscle strain, disc herniations and pinched nerves".
2. There is a strong association between an increased forward head posture and decreased respiratory muscle strength with can lead to respiratory dysfunction.
3. For every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.
4. Loss of the cervical curve stretches the spinal cord 5-7cm and causes disease.
5. 90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine. 90% of the energy output of the brain is used in relating the physical body to gravity. With forward head posture, your brain will rob energy from your thinking, metabolism, and immune function to deal with abnormal gravity/posture relationships and processing.
6. Forward Head Posture can add up to 30 pounds of abnormal leverage on the cervical spine with can then pull the entire spine out of alignment. This in turn can lead to a reduction of vital capacity of the lungs which can lead to heart and blood vascular disease. The entire gastrointestinal system is effected. The body's pain controlling chemicals (endorphins) can make otherwise non-painful sensations experienced as pain.
Chiropractors are the most well equipped health care providers to either help prevent or diminish the effects of forward head posture. Schedule an appointment today!
